Divine Eloquence and Human Transformation: Rethinking Scripture and History through Gregory of Nazianzus and Hans Frei
Key to a theology of scripture are the important issues of history, consciousness, rhetoric, and how theology functions in relation to interpretation of Christianity’s religious texts.Seeking to address a critical problem in theology and the interpretation of scripture raised by modern historical consciousness, Ben Fulford argues for a densely historical and theological reading of scripture centered in a Christological rubric. The argument herein uncovers a figural pattern of divine action and presence in the sacred texts.
Tracing the problem through the modern theological heritage, the author turns to a comparative account of theologically patterned reading represented by patristic theology in Gregory of Nazianzus and postliberal theology in its pivotal founder, Hans Frei. The book addresses the challenge of historicity and historical consciousness, argues for the relevance of pre-modern approaches to scripture, and offers a fresh and extensive account of two salient figures from the early and contemporary tradition, thus enacting a theology of retrieval as a resource on a present issue of vital importance.
Tracing the problem through the modern theological heritage, the author turns to a comparative account of theologically patterned reading represented by patristic theology in Gregory of Nazianzus and postliberal theology in its pivotal founder, Hans Frei. The book addresses the challenge of historicity and historical consciousness, argues for the relevance of pre-modern approaches to scripture, and offers a fresh and extensive account of two salient figures from the early and contemporary tradition, thus enacting a theology of retrieval as a resource on a present issue of vital importance.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451465488
- eBook ISBN 9781451469608
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 256
- Emerging Scholars category Theology
- Publication Date July 1, 2013
Endorsements
"Ben Fulford offers a provocative approach to the understanding of scripture, grounded in both the patristic tradition and modern theology, which should prove fruitful for theologians and biblical scholars alike."
—Anna Williams
University of Cambridge
"Divine Eloquence and Human Transformation is a well-considered intervention in the often tangled discussion of the effect of historical consciousness on the theological interpretation of Scripture. Lucid, cogent and learned, the book exemplifies confidence that Christian theology has ample resources to articulate a coherent understanding of Scripture as divine instruction."
—John Webster
University of Aberdeen
—Anna Williams
University of Cambridge
"Divine Eloquence and Human Transformation is a well-considered intervention in the often tangled discussion of the effect of historical consciousness on the theological interpretation of Scripture. Lucid, cogent and learned, the book exemplifies confidence that Christian theology has ample resources to articulate a coherent understanding of Scripture as divine instruction."
—John Webster
University of Aberdeen